Lionfish Import Ban Among New FWC Rules Taking Effect Friday

A new rule banning the importation of lionfish is among several new regulations aimed at combating the invasive species set to take effect Friday.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokeswoman Amanda Nalley says the goal behind making it illegal to import lionfish from out of state in the aquarium trade is to help prevent any further introduction of the spiny fish into Florida waters.

“Therefore, we’ll have people in the water going and removing these lionfish—particularly smaller lionfish—that might not be good for use in the food fishery, for example,” said Nalley. “It might not be good to sell for eating later. And, these lionfish will then be sold into the aquarium trade for uses, like people’s pets and other aquariums.”

Other rules make it easier for lionfish spearfishers by removing limitations on gear that allows dives to stay in the water for a longer period of time. And, through a permit system, spearfishing lionfish will now be allowed in areas where spearfishing is not currently not allowed.

“We have certain areas of Florida where you’re not allowed to spear at all. It could be due to safety issues,” added Nalley. “There are certain state parks that do not allow spearing. What we’ve done is we’re creating a permit system that will allow people to go into those areas during organized events, such as tournaments, and spear and remove lionfish and other nonnatives.”

Lionfish, introduced to Florida waters more than 30 years ago, negatively affect native wildlife and have no natural predators to control its growing population.

For more news updates, follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter:@SaschaCordner.

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Florida wildlife officials have approved a series of rules aimed at combating the invasive species lionfish, including an importation ban.

At a Wednesday meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved new rules to make it illegal to import lionfish into the state from other countries or other states for use in the aquarium trade. FWC spokeswoman Amanda Nalley says the reason for the ban—which takes effect August 1st—is two-fold.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, or FWC, is taking an unconventional approach to combating invasive species. Its new smartphone app may hold the key to eliminating lionfish from the Florida coasts.

The FWC took to Twitter on Wednesday afternoon to announce its newest smartphone app titled Report Florida Lionfish. Through the app, users can submit lionfish data such as population size, location and how the fish are being harvested.

In the ongoing battle against a non-native fish invading state waters, a Senate committee passed a bill today that prohibits lionfish from being imported or raised in Florida. Fish sellers say they support the general idea of the ban but still have some reservations.

Tanks full of colorful fish line the walls of Carol’s Critters pet shop in Tallahassee, where Jerry Peterson holds the title of Fish Manager. He stops next to a 75-gallon tank. This, he says, is where the lionfish would be if they were in stock.

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